Top 7 Must see places in HANOI, VIETNAM

Although Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, a nation in Southeast Asia, it is a fascinating city to visit because of its customs and past. From the beautifully carved temples to the French colonial-style constructions, visitors may explore so many sites. Your Hanoi travel should cover the following top seven must-see sites: Your Hanoi schedule should include the following seven must-see sights:

1. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple are both in Hanoi city of Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake, again, is the Lake of the Returned Sword; it is a freshwater lake situated in central Hanoi. It has a small island with the Ngoc Son Temple, which is located within the reach of a red colorfully painted bridge. The temple was constructed in the 18th century to pay respect to the warfare heroes in the 13th century namely Tran Hung Dao and the scholar Van Xuong. Located adjacent to the lake, the temple, and the scarlet Huc Bridge it is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks of Hanoi. Walk along the beautiful lake, and enjoy the scenic views of the natural environment as well as views of the city. I almost forgot to say that you should also go to the temple while in that place.

2. The Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Hanoi includes 36 close and full-of-life streets, each of which got its name from the type of product the traders of that particular street used to sell. Today it offers everything from trinkets to snacks in this lively grid of roads and pathways that have become the heart of the city. Immerse in the 1,000-year-old commerce in the old quarter with the crazy and adoring street perambulation of Hanoi. Walk around the temple square and have a look at the number of temples, numerous noodle shops, coffee houses, and small shops that sell unique clothes and accessories located in the narrow streets.

3. Hoa Lo Prison

Another place in Hanoi that deserves a visit is Hoa Lo Prison which saw the cruel face of Vietnam during the Vietnam War and got its ominous nickname, the ‘Hanoi Hilton’. Almost all of the prison has been torn down, but visitors can still see the gates and one block of the prison which is now a museum. Take a tour through the prison-like halls and get to know more about the Vietnamese and American pilots subjected to imprisonment. The exhibits portray different narratives of how the Vietnam War was seen from a different lens.

4. Temple of Literature

Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, is a beautiful and well-maintained establishment that is similar to the ancient architecture in Vietnam with a view of lovely scenery. Dating back to 1070 during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the temple was initially built as the first central university of Vietnam to educate royal princes and high officials. Today you can wander around five-walled courtyards, elegant pavilions, and tranquil lakes with lotus flowers. Among them, the stone turtles with stelae are a gratitude and honor scholars’ achievements at the Imperial Academy.

5. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Standing majestically in the center of Ba Dinh Square there is a stately building – Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. This is the tomb of the revered Vietnamese hero – Ho Chi Minh, the man who was leading Vietnam during the Vietnam War. While the structure was built to resemble that of the Soviet Union, there are particular codes of conduct for visitors such as clothing restrictions and no photos allowed. It opens to the public between 8-11 am, and only during restrictive months in a year. Another one is the Temple of Literature – it is recommended to come early and dress properly to pay respects to the preserved body of ‘Uncle Ho’.

6. One Pillar Pagoda

This charming little wooden building called Thap Ba, is a single-storeyed pagoda built on a lotus pond in the central part of the country and reflects the rich Vietnamese culture intertwined with Buddhism. There are various stories revolving around the construction of the temple which was commissioned by Emperor Ly Thai Tong who dreamed of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. While the One Pillar Pagoda has one post, it symbolizes the blooming lotus which is a sacred symbol in Buddhism. One of the traditional temples of the Perfume Pagoda temple group since the 18th century, a visit reveals Buddhism’s enduring roots in the country.

7. Water Puppet Theater

If you want a taste of traditional Vietnamese culture, then catch a water puppet show at one of the local theatres. Water puppetry has its origin in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam where it was developed over a thousand years ago from a floating theatre staged in the flooded rice paddies. It is still performed at present by depicting various aspects of the Vietnamese folklore and mythologies that took place in the past. Watch the masters, who perform marionette show up to their waist in water, operating the beautiful carved wooden puppets with sticks and strings. The 60-minute show is further complemented by live performances of traditional Vietnamese folk music, making the experience rather memorable.

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